Last week, Fresno State finished 1-1 after defeating Cal State Fullerton at home and falling to San Francisco on the road. On Sept. 26, Andrew Gregorio and Kupono Low each scored a goal to lead the Bulldogs to a 2-1 victory in Bulldog Stadium. On Sept. 29, Joshua LeRoy recorded his first goal of the season to lead Fresno State as San Francisco held on to win 2-1 at Negoesco Field.

Last season, Sacramento State tied the Bulldogs, 1-1, in a double-overtime contest in Bulldog Stadium. With the Hornets trailing 1-0, Sean Luigs scored off an assist by Nick Whittaker to tie the contest with less than a minute remaining in regulation.

Sacramento State is 1-6-1 against Fresno State since joining the Div. I ranks in 1991. The Hornets are 1-0-1 in the past two meetings.

HEAD COACH MICHAEL LINENBERGER

Michael Linenberger begins his 14th season at the helm of the Sacramento State men’s soccer team. Last season, Linenberger led the Hornets to their best finish in MPSF play with a 4-1-2 record and the regular season conference championship. Sacramento State’s four conference wins were also a new program record. For his efforts, Linenberger was selected 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year by the conference coaches.

Linenberger began his coaching career with the Hornets as an assistant in 1988 and co-head coach from 1989 to 1991, before taking sole control of the coaching duties in 1992. He has led the team through each year as a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, beginning in 1992. In his career, Linenberger has compiled a 83-143-20 overall record.

RECENT ACTION

On Sept. 27, Loyola Marymount scored five second-period goals as the seventh-ranked Lions came from behind to defeat Sacramento State 5-1 at Hornet Soccer Field. Sophomore Brent Hamilton recorded the lone goal for the Hornets.

On Sept. 29, UC Santa Barbara''s Rob Friend recorded two goals to lead the 25th-ranked Gauchos to a 3-0 win over the Hornets at Harder Stadium.

On Oct. 2, Cal State Northridge scored three first-period goals as the Matadors defeated Sacramento State 4-1 at Hornet Soccer Field. The Hornets recorded their only goal of the contest when Hamilton found senior midfielder David Rios from 40-yards out for the header goal.

SACRAMENTO STATE FEELING THE RUSH

The Hornet men’s soccer team increased the number of River City Rush members on its roster from six to 10 this past season and the 2002 squad is beginning to feel the effects of the local club team. After nine contests, members of the Rush squad lead the Hornets in all three offensive categories.

Sophomore defender Brent Hamilton leads the squad with three goals and seven points. Sophomore defender Alexis Maúrtua and Nelle are tied for second with two goals apiece. For Hamilton and Maúrtua, their goals were the first of their Hornet careers. Freshman defender Utodi Madu, Fraser and J. Rodriguez each have one goal to also lead the Hornets. Rush members have accounted for 10 of Sacramento State’s 12 goals this year.

Sophomore midfielder Ricky Rodriguez, Fraser and J. Rodriguez each lead the squad with two assists, respectively.

OTHER NOTABLES

Sacramento State has not lost four-straight contests since the 2000 season...senior David Rios recorded his first goal of the 2002 season on Oct. 2. It was his first goal since Nov. 5, 2000 against Denver...the Hornets are outshooting their opponents (122-108) but are trailing in goals (24-12)...Sacramento State has only a .098 goals per shot percentage while opponents are scoring on .222 of their shots...sophomore defender Alexis Maúrtua has missed the last two contests with an ankle sprain. He may return to action on Sunday vs. Fresno State.